Marsa Alam, located on the southeastern coast of Egypt along the Red Sea, is renowned as a diving paradise, captivating divers with its vibrant underwater ecosystem and pristine conditions.
This remote locale stands out due to its relatively untouched marine environments and can provide an extraordinary diving experience.
One of the top reasons Marsa Alam is celebrated for diving is its stunning coral reefs, which are some of the most intact and biodiverse in the world. These reefs house an impressive variety of marine life, including rare species such as the dugong and several types of sharks, making every dive an exciting adventure.
The visibility in Marsa Alam is another significant draw, often extending up to 40 metres, allowing divers to fully appreciate the spectacular underwater vistas and the rich colours of the coral gardens.
Also, Marsa Alam offers a range of dive sites suitable for all levels, from shallow, gentle reefs perfect for beginners, to deeper, more challenging areas that intrigue advanced divers. Sites like Elphinstone Reef and Dolphin House are particularly famous, providing encounters with pelagic fish and playful dolphin pods, respectively.
The combination of exceptional biodiversity, crystal-clear waters, and the peacefulness of less crowded dive sites makes Marsa Alam a top diving destination. Its unique underwater treasures promise memorable dives, appealing to enthusiasts from around the globe.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s warmest seas, and the Sahara Desert extends in every direction from it.
Reasons to dive in Marsa Alam
Sharks
One of the best shark diving sites in the Red Sea is located in Marsa Alam. Elphinstone Reef is about 15 minutes from shore by speedboat but appears to be in another world. Depending on the season, you might see hammerhead sharks (in the spring) or oceanic whitetip sharks (in the summer and fall).
Dolphins
These smiling beauties are a Red Sea delight. At Dolphin House, a three-sectioned underwater cove, there are excellent opportunities to see these wonderful animals at first-hand.
Dugongs
Marsa Alam is one of the best places in the world to dive with dugongs. The Marsa Alam coast is home to a small population of dugongs who have been around for years and been given name by those who have dived these waters for a long time.
These manatee-related marine mammals spend their days feeding in sea grass fields just offshore, and they are frequently spotted when they come up for air or swim between grass patches.
Coral Reefs
Although the big stuff around Marsa Alam gets our attention, the area’s excellent coral reefs are reason enough to visit. From Port Ghalib south, a healthy reef runs along the shore, providing shelter to fish of all colours.
Diving Is Our Speciality
Marsa Alam is a relatively new town and was largely developed by divers for divers, so you know it’s designed to provide the best diving experience possible.